Former lawmaker, railroad commissioner dies

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Lena Guerrero, a former Texas House member and appointee to the Texas Railroad Commission, died in her sleep after a long battle with cancer. She was 50.

Guerrero was elected to the House in 1984 and served until 1991, when Democratic Gov. Ann Richards appointed her as the first Hispanic and first woman on the Railroad Commission. But Guerrero's political rise ended when, while seeking election to the commission seat, she was forced to acknowledge she had lied about having a University of Texas degree. Republican Barry Williamson defeated her.

Guerrero, speaking in 2000, three years after surgery for removal of two malignant brain tumors, said she didn't look back on the problems.

"What happened to Lena Guerrero is not nearly as important as what are we doing to grow Latinos and Latinas who can run and win and serve in public office and be leaders," she said. "I don't think we are spending enough time cultivating them."

Guerrero's death Wednesday was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who served with Guererro in the Texas House of Representatives, directed Thursday that all American and Texas flags under state control be flown at half-staff in her memory.

"Lena Guerrero was a bright, passionate woman who worked hard to represent the interests of her constituents both as a representative and as railroad commissioner," Perry said. "Her fellow Democrats were surprised at our friendship and her endorsement of my candidacy, but she was the sort of person who placed loyalty and principle ahead of politics."